Aust army faces loss of veteran soldiers

Australia's army faces losing many experienced soldiers as combat operations wind down and less rewarding domestic postings become the norm, a new study warns.

In a report card on army capability, Australian Strategic Policy Institute analyst Andrew Davies says the army needs new armoured vehicles while modernisation of the army's aviation capability has made less progress than planned.

But in other areas, the army has done well, performing commendably in raising, training and sustaining an effective force during 15 years of high operational activity.

As well, it will soon have a significant capability to deploy forces aboard the navy's new large amphibious landing ships.

The army comprises around 29,500 permanent personnel and 14,000 reserves.

Dr Davies said morale seemed to be high and there was no suggestion of a collapse of capability to sustain forces in the field.

"In fact, one of the challenges that the army will face in years to come is the retention of operationally experienced personnel as operations wind down and less professionally and financially rewarding domestic postings become the norm," he said.

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A consequence of sustained operations was the growing number of personnel with post-traumatic stress disorder. Looking after the wounded, injured and ill was a high priority for the army's leadership, he said.

Dr Davies said the army needed a major recapitalisation of its equipment. Bushmaster vehicles had protected soldiers in Afghanistan but were marginal against plausible future threats.

ASLAV vehicles had also served well but were in need of replacement while the Vietnam-era M113 tracked armoured personnel carriers were essentially obsolete.

Dr Davies said these were recognised capability shortfalls and replacement projects were under way.

Replacement of the army's Black Hawk transport helicopters with new MRH-90 helicopters had proceeded much slower than planned, as had the introduction of Tiger-armed reconnaissance helicopters.